3515 Study of Fracture Evaluation Method of Stainless Steel Piping for Fitness-for-Service of Nuclear Components

Abstract

Fracture evaluation methods for stainless steel bent pipes were developed. One evaluation method concerns calculating the Stress Intensity Factor for bent pipes, and this method was verified by comparing with the Stress Intensity Factor calculated by FE analysis. The other evaluation method concerns estimating the limit load of the bent pipe. This method can provide accurate results by taking into consideration the effects of increases in material strength caused by bending, and were verified by experimental data of fracture tests of two bent pipes.